Stand for microphones and the like



May 19, 1942. P. J. FABER 2,283,324

SI'JAND,FOR MICROPHONES AND THE LIKE- Filed April 24. 4193g Patented May 19, 1942 U `ITE!) ST TES PATENT Torri@ 4 Claims.

This invention has to do with stands and supports for microphones and the like such as used for public address systems, radio broadcasts, etc.

It is an object of this invention to provide a stand which is sturdy and will stand a lot of abuse, which may be adjusted to various heights depending on whether it is to be used on a speakers table, for children, or for people of various heights.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a stand in which the base is collapsible and may be fitted into a small space; but when opened has a rm locking means retaining it against collapsing.

It is a further object to provide a stand which has adjustable base means to compensate for uneven surfaces.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved form of retaining member hold- .ing the slideable section against undesired movement and exerting friction, in the desired amount against vertical movement. In this connection the slideable member is spaced from the sides of the sectional tube holding the slideable member in such a way that no rattling occurs vor other undesirable noise which would be transmitted 'to the microphone.

It is a further object to provide a device which is relatively inexpensive and is simple to manufacture, easy to assemble and operate, and meets the need for a portable, collapsible stand for microphones used in public address systems and the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the nature of the improvements is better understood, the invention consisting substantially in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the device of the present invention. In this figure a portion of one of the extension tube sections of the device is broken away to shorten the figure and Figure 4 is a view taken on'the lines 4--4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the rst extension tube section as frag'- mentary; and Y Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View showing the extension tube section with the slideable extension tube therein in operable position.

' Referring morev in detail to the construction 'shown inl the various figures, number IU is the `base, Which has the external threads II and the internal threads I2.

The locking ring I3 screws over thethreads I I, and the threads I2 receive an extension section tube I4 which lis externally threaded to correspond. n

The base III has the lugs I5 which are shown as extending out in three directions and to which are fastened the arms I6. These arms are fastened to the lugs I5 by means of the pins II. The arms I6 fit securely against the base I0 when in extended position and these arms are held securely against movement in a direction which would permit the base IIl to vdrop down by the fact that they have been rotated around the pin I1 to where their inner end comes flush against the base I0.

The inner end of arms I6 have their bottom portions rounded as Will be best discerned in Figure 3 and as shown by dotted lines in Figure 4 so that the arm is free to move from the extended position of Figure 4 to the position shownV in Figure 3 or vice versa as the case may be.

To lock arms I6 in extended position, the locking ring I3 is threaded down t-o contact the tops of the arms I6 and draws them downward until they t tightly against the face of the base IU.

In this arrangement, when the arms are locked in extended position by locking ring I3, the microphone stand may be picked up by the extension section tubes and moved from place to place without its collapsing or rattling and it will continue to maintain a solid, firm base assembly until the locking ring I3 is loosened.

In manufacture, the base assembly is usually completed with the exception of the locking ring, and a small raised ledge I8 is usually provided on the `arms I6. The arms are then moved to extended position and held firmly in that position and then the raised ledge I8 on allthe arms machined in the same operation so as to secure a surface Awhich the locking ring I3 will contact on all arms of the assembly at the same time. This prevents the assembled arms from having an uneven contacting ledge and therefore movement play which Would be objectionable, as lit I is threaded on to the upper threads.

would be noisy and form an insecure support for the stand.

In connection with this base assembly I have shown the adjusting screws I9 which are preferably threaded through one or more of the arms I6 at the end vand have the rubber tips 2U. If

the :door is uneven or it is desired to tilt the microphone slightly on one side or Vthe other the adjusting screws I9 may be threaded in or out as desired to provide such adjustment.

It is to be understood that the locking ring I 3 could, in slightly different shape be provided on the bottom of the base Ill in such a way that it would hold the arms I6 in extended position as is now done. In such a case however the locking ring I3 would have to be entirely removed before the arms I6 are collapsed into the position of Figure 3 and would have to be carried separately from the base assembly. It is preferable therefore that the locking ring arrangement shown be used, but it is not the intention to limit this disclosure to such an extent that it will not cover a locking ring placed on the bottom as well as above the arms.

YThe extension section tube I4 is provided with external threads on one end and internal threads on the other so that as many sections of this tube may be used as the situation calls for. Ordinarily, for use on a speakers table where the person using the microphone is seated, only the Lipper extension tube section 2I will be used; This will be threaded directly into the base number IIJ by means of the inner threads I2.

This upper extension section tube diiiers from the other extension section tubes in that it is preferably provided with external threads on each end. On the upper end it has theY collar 22 which Inside this collar is the leather or fabric Washer 23. This washer 23 slips into the internal circumference of the metallic ring` 24. This metallic ring 24 is preferably bevelled on its internal circumference so that the further down the fabric washer 23 is moved, the further inward it is forced by the surface of the ring 24. The washer 23 seats against a retaining ledge on the upper portion of the collar 22 so that it is forced downward with rotation of the collar on the threads of the extension section tube 2 I.

A slideable extension tube 25 fits inside the tube 2| and the collar 22. The extension tube is spaced from the upper portion of the tube 2l and from the collar 22 by means of the fabric washer 23. The fabric washer 23 likewise holds this extension tube against Vertical movement except when forced, and will retain the tube in the position in which it was placed so that the microphone (not shown) on top of the tube 25 be adjusted for height Within the limits of the tube 25 by setting in a desired portion. The tube 25 may be moved vertically, however, by exerting sufhcient force to overcome the friction of the Washer 23.

The bottom of the tube 25 has thek fabric cap 26, preferably of felt or the like, which fits over the end of the tube and spaces it from the sides of the extension section tube 2I. As here shown, this fabric cap 26 is held into position by means vof a small metallic washer 21, and the screw 28.

The above mentioned fabric cap 25 in addition to maintaining the tube 25 from contact with the sides of the tube 26 at the lower portion of the tube 25, serves as a stop which will catch on the washer 23 and prevent the tube 25 from being pulled apart from the tube 2|. This allows the person desiring the microphone at its full height to pull up on the tube until it reaches the stop without danger of disconnecting the two tubes, and without incurring a bump of metal ony metal which would be transmitted to the microphone and be objectionable.

As above pointed out, a person who is seated in front of a desk would ordinarily use the base assembly with the extension section tube 2| as a support for the microphone. The person who is standing with the microphone on the table would ordinarily wish an additional extension section tube I4 between the tube 2| and the base I0. Such an arrangement as the latter would ordinarily be desired for use of the microphone on a floor where the persons talking are children or other short people. If the use is for stage where adults would be primarily interested in using the device, three or more sections I4 Would be used between section 2I and the base. Variation to accommodate the height of persons differing as muchas one foot or more may be had by use of the extension tube 25.

Incidentally, the base assembly having three arms provides not only a very firm rest and support for the microphone but permits use on such places as banquet tables without interfering with the dishes or taking up an objectionable amount of room.

The parts of the base assembly may be cast orA lment as a whole is that it forms a very compact bundle when disassembled for shipping or transportation. v The use of the stand with a portable amplifier for example is handled by having a socalled "crows-foot of the type sometimes used to hold up lighting fixtures fastened into the case of the amplifier, which crows-foot is externally threaded to match the inner threads on the base. When the base is collapsed by having the arms folded or grouped close together, it may be screwed on to the crows-foot and Will be firmly held in the case in a very small space. The various extension section tubes may be separated and placed in small retaining clips or the like in a space in the carrying case without much room being needed. As thus packed for carrying, the articles will not rattle or injure any of the other equipment, will always be in place, and will be easily and promptly accessible for use when needed.

It is still a further object to provide a device having a microphone support adjustable for height, said adjustment being effectuated for adding or removing `sections which for the purpose of this application may be designated extension section tubes, and likewise having a separate adjustment for height by means of slideable or vertically adjustable means, preferably inserted in one or more of the extension section tubes, which last named adjustment may be designated extension tube for the purpose of this application, and said extension tube being preferably retained at adjusted position by friction means or the like.

'Ihe form of the invention herein shown and described presents a preferred embodiment thereof, and delineates its adaption to practical use, but it is to be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered from the illustrative standpoint and not as imposing restriction or limitation on the invention. Y

While I have herein shown and described certain features of my invention, still I do not wish to limit myself thereto, except as I may do so in the claims.

I claim:

1. A base for a microphone stand and the like consisting of a base member, a plurality of arms journaled to the base member and movable thereon opening outwardly forming a support, and movably inwardly grouping said arms when not in use as a support, locking means comprising a locking ring threaded on the base member whereby threading the ring on the threads locks the arms when in extended position and un-k threading the ring from the threads releases the arms from extended position, and means receving and retaining a removable extension section tube in said base member.

2. A base for a microphone stand and the like consisting of a base member, a plurality of arms journaled thereon with their extremities movable outwardly forming a support with the arms in extended position, and movable inwardlygrouping the arms when not forming a support, a locking ring on the base locking the arms in extended position, and means receiving and retaining a removable extension section tube in said base member.

3. A base assembly for a microphone stand comprising in combination a base member, a

lplurality of rarms mo-vably connected to said base, locking means operable to hold said arms inextended position, said locking means comprising a locking ring threaded on said base member and contacting the said arms when it is tightened downward on said threads, retaining the inner ends of said arms tightly against said base memf fl. A base assembly for a microphone stand comprising in combination a base member having means receiving and retaining a removable extension section tube, lugs on said base member,

, arms journaled on said lugs and rotatable to bring one end of said arm flush against the face of thebase member when the arms are in extended position, and an adjusting means on the other end of at least one of said arms spacing the end of said arm from the support on which the base assembly rests, and means holding said arms firmly in extended position, said holding means consisting of al locking ring adjustably carried by said base member and adjustable to contact each of said arms and hold them flush against the face of the base member, substantially as described.

PETER J. FABER. 

